Page 32 of Obsessions of the Heart

Light seemed to radiate from her being, taking over the room with her dazzling glow, and my breath hitched. I almost forgot what I was doing here. Instead, I basked in her ruby brown locks. They were illuminated by the natural light, tricking the eye into thinking she was a redhead when it was really just the sparkling ruby strands that ran so prevalently through her chestnut hair. The skirt she was in showed off those creamy golden legs that called for men to fall on their knees before her.

I couldn't help myself. All those carefully crafted moves and words I’d practiced on the way here flew out of my head, causing my mouth to work on its own like a vigilante.

“Rin, is that you?” My voice broke at the end, and I cursed myself out in my head. This was the moment to be suave and charming, not to act like a ten-year-old boy with his first love.

I actively worked hard to not take a step back at the force of her soft and stunning gray eyes focused on me. It felt like an arrow had shot me in the heart. Shock and awe splashed across her face until her eyes scanned me.

Basking in her examination was exhilarating, intoxicating, and it made my hands shake with nerves. What if I wasn't her ideal type? What if she found that she didn't like the length of my hair, or she thought my clothes were stupid? I’d almost blurted out that I could change any of that for her when I caught a flash of lust in her gaze as she bit her lip.

Wait, wait, wait… Did the world just fall into ruin? Did the sun explode, leaving us seconds away from death? Did Rin just look at me like she wanted to touch me?

All of my wildest dreams were running through my head, making it hard to think of anything else. I should take her out to a secluded private beach, buy her the biggest ring possible, and ask her to marry me. Then we could settle down in front of the fireplace and make love from sun-up to sundown, only taking breaks when she needed to hydrate. I never wanted her health to decline in my presence. Then we would—

“Ravi? Is that you?”

Everything came crashing down around me, and I realized that while I’d been dreaming, obsessing about, and coveting her for the years we had been apart, she was just trying to survive. She needed time to get to the level of affection and devotion I held for her. I took a breath to calm myself and smiled brightly.

“Yeah, it's me.” Taking a step closer, I smelled her soft notes of musk and wild rose, resisting the urge to grab her and take a big, long whiff at her neck. “How have you been, Rin? What's been going on in your life? I want to know everything.”

She took a step closer, reaching out like she didn't trust her eyes alone… until a cranky Irish voice sounded behind her. One hand dropped to her side while the other fingered a triangle pendant on her necklace. My teeth clenched so hard I thought they would break.

That asshole just ruined our reunion.

“Sweets? Where did you—” Elio stepped around the corner and stopped once his eyes met mine. They narrowed immediately, then he stomped his way toward us. “Is this guy bothering you, Layrin?”

Layrin? Was he using her first name to imply he knew her better than me? I almost laughed at how much he didn't know about her. Did he know that she preferred her chocolate melted? Did he know that she appreciated a fluffy pillow more than a thick blanket? Did he know that she used to dress like a boy in her early youth to avoid getting noticed by others? No. I was not threatened by this asshole. He knew nothing.

Rin’s eyes bounced between us, and I knew she was going to start to feel bad. Partnered with what I was about to say too, I knew I needed to signal to her. Taking a gamble, I relied on a signal we had used as kids. When her eyes bounced back to mine, I faked a sneeze and rubbed my nose with two fingers. Please, Rin. Please remember what that meant.

Her eyes flicked to my signaling hand before they traveled to mine in confusion. I took a step closer to Rin, putting my arm around hers, and smirked at Elio’s ire at my sudden closeness. “Bother? No, I was captivated by this exquisite and charming woman. She took my breath away the moment our eyes collided, and as soon as I learned her name, I realized that this was the woman the dean had assigned me to mentor.”

“Bullshit.” Elio stepped forward, vibrating with fury, and my smile widened. I’d never seen Elio this rattled, and it was quite amusing.

I turned toward Rin’s openmouthed confusion, giving her one of my charming smiles and winks before I stepped closer to him and lowered my voice. “Facts. The dean wanted me to keep an eye on the woman who’s causing the Riccis so much… trouble.” I pretended to brush off lint from his shoulders before I leaned in closer. “It's just a precaution. Nothing bad will happen to the girl as long as you play your part and I play mine.”

“Ambros.” The tone of his voice spoke volumes to the warning he was laying out for me, so I nodded. It wasn't me that needed the warning, but his own family, though I didn't say that. He would learn that lesson in due time.

Turning away from him, I walked up to Rin and bowed. “I sincerely ask for your forgiveness for being late in my duties as I’ve just gotten back today.” Looking up at her through my lashes, I begged, “It will take a few meetings since I do have a lot to go over with you. Do you have a moment of time for this late mentor?”

Rin stared at me, eyes roaming my face to find the truth to my words. Before Elio could counter my move, I added, “Unless you’re on a date? I wouldn't want to interrupt your personal time for scholarly duties.”

Her eyes cleared before she answered, “No. I’m not on a date, but I… I am working on a project right now.”

Elio opened his mouth, but I rushed out, “I assume this project is due very soon?”

She slowly shook her head, lips pressed together in thought. “No. It's not due until the end of the semester.” She straightened her shoulders when she faced Elio. “Can we reschedule this for Thursday?”

Elio’s face hardened as he glared at me, but she stepped up to him, putting her hand on his chest to get his attention. I knew this was her move to defuse the situation, but the ugly black monster inside of me wanted to rage, wanted to rip her hand away from him and carve out the spot she’d placed her hand. He didn't deserve her touch.

“I’m sorry, Elio. I think I need to get this all figured out for school, but I’m not forgetting that we’re partners on this project. Is it okay for us to meet on Thursday? I promise I’ll have this sorted out by then.” She was smiling sweetly at him, and his ire was melting by the second, drawn into those gray orbs that made you want to fall in and get lost on purpose.

Smiling at her like nothing was bothering him, he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Of course, sweets. I don’t want you to get in trouble with the dean.” He winked at her. “Plus, I know Ambros. He’s in Alpha Sigma Xi with me. He’ll be the perfect gentleman and get this all taken care of soon.”

She smiled at him before turning to me. “Just hold on for a second while I get my bag.” I nodded, keeping that easy smile on my face even though the space between Elio and me was ratcheting up with tension.

Once she was out of eyesight, Elio jumped. He grabbed me by the collar, slammed my back into the table, and growled in my face. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Ambros? If a single strand of hair on her head is harmed, I'm going to gouge out your eyeballs, prince or no prince.”

Circling my hands around his wrists, I twisted and pressed on his pressure points, forcing him to let go before throwing him to the side. Standing up, I let my face morph into the cruel, cocky side of myself and dusted my clothes off. “If you think this is about her, then I know why Luca is the leader while Milo is on assignment.”

---